BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a method of assembling a miniaturized and multipolar
waterproof connector which is improved in the waterproofness between a connector housing
and a plurality of electric wires having terminals connected thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] As this type of waterproof connector there is one which is illustrated in Fig. 1.
A connector housing 2 of this waterproof connector 1 has formed therein a plurality
of terminal accommodation chambers 3 each of which has formed at its rear portion
an electric wire sealing chamber 4 so that the chamber 4 may be communicated therewith.
Also, each terminal accommodation chamber 3 has accommodated therein a female terminal
6 having an electric wire connected thereto with the female terminal 6 being engaged
with a lance (flexible engaging arm) 7. Further, each terminal accommodation chamber
3 and its corresponding electric wire 5 are sealed by a rubber plug 8 which has been
forced into the electric wire sealing chamber 4.
[0003] It is to be noted that similar techniques regarding the waterproof connector 1 are
disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Specification No. Hei 5-65996 and Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 1-213973.
[0004] However, in the above-described conventional waterproof connector 1, as illustrated
in Fig. 2, the diameter L of the electric wire sealing chamber 4 must be made larger
than the diameter of the terminal accommodation chamber 3 for the purpose of mold
releasing or terminal insertion. Therefore, the terminal-to-terminal pitch X is limited
with the result that the connector housing 2 has become large in size. Also, since
the rubber plug 8 is exposed from a rear surface side of the connector housing 2 to
the outside, the rubber plug 8 is damaged or deformed during high-tension cleaning
or due to contact therewith of a machine tool or the like, with the result that a
desired level of sealing performance was not obtained.
[0005] WO-A-9 632 760 describes another waterproof connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been achieved with such points in mind.
[0007] It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide a method of assembling
a multi-polar waterproof connector which enables the miniaturization of the connector
housing as well as the enhancement of the sealability and asseblability thereof.
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a waterproof
connector comprising the steps of: accommodating terminals to be connected to electric
wires in terminal accommodation chambers formed in an inner housing; inserting and
passing the electric wires into and through electric wire insertion and passing holes
formed at the positions of a one wall portion of an outer housing opposing to the
terminal accommodation chambers from outside the outer housing to inside the outer
housing; inserting and passing the electric wires which are passing through the electric
wire insertion and passing holes into and through holes which are formed in rubber
plugs; connecting the electric wires passed through the holes of the rubber plugs
to the terminals accommodated in the terminal accommodation chambers; drawing the
electric wires to the outside of the outer housing in a direction opposite to the
direction in which the electric wires are inserted and passed from outside the outer
housing to inside the outer housing, as a result, the rubber plugs are inserted and
set in the rubber plug accommodation recessed portions which are formed inside the
one wall portion of the outer housing; and fitting the inner housing into the outer
housing.
[0009] In this method of assembling a waterproof connector, simultaneously with the interfitting
between the outer housing and inner housing, the rubber plugs are accommodated reliably
in a simple way in the rubber plug accommodation recessed portions of the outer housing,
with the result that the assemblability of the waterproof connector is further enhanced.
[0010] Preferably, a tapered surface is formed on an inlet side of the rubber plug accommodation
recessed portion; a tapered surface is formed on each side of the rubber plug; and
a rubber plug guiding portion to guide the rubber plug is formed at a position of
the inner housing corresponding to the tapered surface of the rubber plug.
[0011] In this waterproof connector, the rubber plug guiding portion of the inner housing,
the tapered surface on an inlet side of the rubber plug accommodation recessed portion
of the outer housing, the tapered surface of the rubber plug, and the electric wire
serve and operate as guides, whereby the rubber plug is accommodated reliably in a
simple way in the rubber plug accommodation recessed portion of the outer housing.
As a result, the reliability on the waterproofness effected with the rubber plugs
is further enhanced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and further objects and novel features of the present invention will more
fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional example of a waterproof connector;
Fig. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the pitch between terminals of the conventional
waterproof connector;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a state of a waterproof connector prior to
assembly thereof.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating partly in section the state of the waterproof
connector prior to assembly thereof;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a state where the assembly of the waterproof
connector is completed;
Fig. 6 is a rear surface view illustrating the waterproof connector;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line VII-VII of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII of Fig. 5;
Fig. 9A is a sectional view illustrating a state of the waterproof connector prior
to assembly thereof;
Fig. 9B is a sectional view illustrating a state where a spacer has been fitted into
an outer housing of the waterproof connector;
Fig. 9C is a sectional view illustrating a state where electric wires have been passed
through the outer housing and spacer;
Fig. 9D is a sectional view illustrating a state where the electric wires have been
connected to terminals accommodated in the terminal accommodation chambers of an inner
housing;
Fig. 9E is a sectional view illustrating a state where the assembly of the waterproof
connector is completed;
Fig. 10A is a sectional view illustrating a state where rubber plugs have been inserted
over electric wires throughout the rubber plugs prior to the method of assembly of
a waterproof connector according to the present invention;
Fig. 10B is a sectional view illustrating a state where the electric wires have been
connected to terminals accommodated in the terminal accommodation chambers of an inner
housing;
Fig. 10C is a sectional view illustrating a state where the electric wires having
the terminals connected thereto are in the state of being pulled in an outward direction
of an outer housing;
Fig. 10D is a sectional view illustrating a state in the course of interfitting between
the inner housing and outer housing;
Fig. 10E is a sectional view illustrating a state where the assembly of the waterproof
connector is completed;
Fig. 11A is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a main part of the waterproof
connector according to said another embodiment prior to the connection of the electric
wires to this waterproof connector;
Fig. 11B is an explanatory view of the main part of Fig. 11A as taken from a direction
indicated by an arrow XIB; and
Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a state in the course of interfitting
between the inner housing and outer housing of the waterproof connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] There will be detailed below the preferred embodiments of the present invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Like members are designated by like reference
characters.
[0014] Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a state of a waterproof connector prior to
assembly thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a
perspective view illustrating partly in section the state of the waterproof connector
prior to assembly thereof; Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a state where the
assembly of the waterproof connector is completed; and Fig. 6 is a rear surface view
illustrating the waterproof connector.
[0015] As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, a connector housing 11 of a waterproof connector
10 is constituted by an inner housing 12 having integrally formed therein a plurality
of terminal accommodation chambers 13 and made of synthetic resin, an outer housing
17 having fitted thereinto the inner housing 12 and made of synthetic resin, and a
spacer 28 interposed between the inner housing 12 and outer housing 17 and retaining
female terminals (terminals) 14 accommodated in the respective terminal accommodation
chambers 13 of the inner housing 12 and made of synthetic resin.
[0016] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the inner housing 12 has a box portion 12a whose
upper and lower surfaces are respectively open at their rear side, and has a central
horizontal wall 12b and upper and lower vertical side walls 12c serving concurrently
as partitioning walls, the wall 12b and the side walls 12c defining spaces in which
the respective terminal accommodation chambers 13 are formed. And, within the terminal
accommodation chambers 13 there are accommodated the female terminals 14. Also, on
both sides and center of each of upper and lower surfaces of the box portion 12a there
are integrally projectively formed engaging pawls (separate engaging portions) 15
respectively and, on the front end at the center of both sides thereof, there are
integrally projectively formed flange portions 16 respectively. It is to be noted
that at the positions of a front wall of the box portion 12a opposed to the respective
terminal accommodation chambers 13 there are formed rectangular insertion holes 12d
through which there are inserted male terminals of a mated connector not illustrated.
Further, a pair of pressure contact blades 14b, 14b are formed in each of both side
plate portions at a rear portion of a box portion 14a of each female terminal 14 by
being bent therefrom.
[0017] As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, the outer housing 17 is made into a double-walled
box which is constituted by a substantially square-cylindrical inner wall portion
17a, a substantially square-cylindrical outer wall 17b portion 17b enclosing the inner
wall portion 17a, and a bottom wall portion (one wall portion) connecting the inner
and outer wall portions 17a, 17b and whose front surface side is open. The bottom
wall portion 17c is thick-walled at its center. In the portions of a front side of
the thick-walled portion opposed to the respective terminal accommodation chambers
13, there are respectively formed rubber plug accommodation recessed portions 19 each
of which is large in diameter and circular in cross section and into each of which
there is accommodated by, for example, forced insertion a waterproof rubber plug 18
which is formed in a insertion hole 18b. On a rear side of the thick-walled portion
there are respectively formed electric wire insertion holes 21 each of which is small
in diameter and circular in cross section and into and through each of which there
is passed an electric wire so that the insertion hole 21 may be communicated with
a corresponding one of the rubber plug accommodation recessed portions 19. The waterproof
rubber plug 18 is made into a substantially cylindrical configuration whose inner
and outer circumferential surfaces are each in the form of concavities and convexities,
whereby the electric wire 20 is closely passed through the interior thereof.
[0018] Also, on both sides of each of respective front portions of upper and lower walls
of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17 there are respectively formed
rectangular engaging holes (engaging hole portions) 22 with and from which there are
engaged and disengaged the engaging pawls 15 on both sides of each of the upper and
lower surfaces of the box portion 12a of the inner housing 12. At the center on the
front side of each of the upper and lower walls of the inner wall portion 17a there
is formed a rectangular and elongate engaging hole (engaging portion) 23 with and
from which there is engaged and disengaged the engaging pawl 15 at the center of each
of the upper and lower surfaces of the box portion 12a of the inner housing 12. At
the large-depth portion on an outer surface side of the inner wall portion 17a of
the outer housing 17 there is integrally projectively formed a "V"-shaped packing
receiving portion 25 that receives therein an annular rubber-made waterproof packing
24. It is to be noted that in the portions, opposed to the respective engaging holes
22, 23, of each of front edges on the inner surface side of the inner wall portion
17a of the outer housing 17 there are respectively formed tapered surfaces 26. Also,
on a front side of each of the upper and lower walls of the outer wall portion 17b
of the outer housing 17 there is formed an engaging hole (engaging portion) 27 with
and from which there is engaged and disengaged a flexible engaging arm of a mated
connector not illustrated.
[0019] As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, the spacer 28 is made into a box which is constituted
by a substantially square-cylindrical trunk portion 28a that is fitted onto the inner
surface side of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17, a substantially
square-cylindrical flange portion 28b that is integrally formed in such a way as to
be bent rearward from a front end of the trunk portion 28a and that is fitted onto
the outer surface side of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17, and
a bottom wall portion (one wall portion) 28c of the trunk portion 28a and whose front
surface side is open.
[0020] And, the box portion 12a of the inner housing 12 is fitted into the trunk portion
28a of the spacer 28. On the inner surface of each of the upper and lower walls of
the trunk portion 28a of the spacer 28 there are integrally projectively formed rib-shaped
terminal fall preventing projections 29 for retaining a rear end edge of the box portion
12a of the inner housing 12 and rear end edges of the box portions 14a of the female
terminals 14 accommodated in the respective terminal accommodation chambers 13.
[0021] In the portions, opposed to the engaging pawls 15 and flange portions 16 of the inner
housing 12, of a front side of the connecting portion between the trunk portion 28a
and the flange portion 28b of the spacer 28 there are formed notched portions 30,
31 respectively. On the outer surface side of each of the upper and lower walls of
the trunk portion 28a of the spacer 28 between the notched portions 30, 30 on the
upper and lower sides there are integrally projectively formed engaging pawls (other
engaging pawls) 32 engaged with and disengaged from the respective engaging holes
23 of the outer housing 17. Further, forward end portions of the flange portions 28b
of the spacer 28 retain the packing 24 retained on the packing receiving portions
25 of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17 at the time when fitted into
the outer housing 17.
[0022] Also, at the positions, opposed to the respective electric wire insertion-through
holes 21 of the outer housing 17, of the bottom wall portion 28c of the spacer 28
there are formed electric wire insertion-through holes 33. Also, the bottom wall portion
28c of the spacer 28 retains the rubber plugs 18 inserted into the respective plug
accommodation recessed portions 19 of the bottom wall portion 17c of the outer housing
17 when having been fitted into the outer housing 17. And, as illustrated in Fig.
3, the respective electric wires 20 that have been passed through the respective electric
wire insertion-through holes 21 of the outer housing 17, respective rubber plugs 18
and respective electric wire insertion-through holes 33 of the spacer 33 are each
connected, by pressure contact, between the pair of pressure contact blades 14b, 14b
of a corresponding one of the respective female terminals 14 accommodated within the
respective terminal accommodation chambers 13 of the inner housing 12. And, the terminal
accommodation chambers 13 and their respective electric wires 20 are respectively
sealed by the respective rubber plugs 18 and packing 24.
[0023] The method of assembling of figure 9 is not part of the invention.
[0024] When assembling the waterproof connector 10 according to this embodiment, as illustrated
in Fig. 9A, the rubber plugs 18 are respectively inserted and set, from the interfitting
direction of the connector housing, into the rubber plug accommodation recessed portions
19 inside the bottom wall portion 17c of the outer housing 17 forming the outer side
of the connector housing 11. Then, the packing 24 is inserted and set in the packing
receiving portion 25 of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17.
[0025] Thereafter, as illustrated in Fig. 9B, the trunk portion 28a of the spacer 28 is
fitted into the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17, whereby the respective
engaging pawls 32 of the trunk portion 28a of the spacer 28 are engaged with their
corresponding holes 23 of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17. As a
result of the engagement of the respective engaging pawls 32 of the trunk portion
28a of the spacer 28 with their corresponding engaging holes 23 of the inner wall
portion 17a of the outer housing 17, the respective rubber plugs 18 are prevented
from being drawn off by the bottom wall portion 17c of the outer housing 17 and simultaneously
the packing 24 is prevented from being drawn off by an inclined forward end of the
flange portion 28b of the spacer 28, with the result that the waterproofness of the
connector housing as a whole can be enhanced up to a level one step higher.
[0026] Next, as illustrated in Fig. 9c, the electric wires 20 are passed from the electric
wire insertion-through holes 21 of the bottom wall portion 17c of the outer housing
17, into and through, holes 18b (Fig. 9A) of the respective rubber plugs 18 and electric
wire insertion-through holes 33 of the bottom wall portion 28c of the spacer 28, from
the outside. Next, as illustrated in Fig. 9D, each of the electric wires 20 is connected
by pressure contact to the paired pressure contact blades 14b, 14b of the female terminal
14 accommodated within its corresponding terminal accommodation chamber 13 of the
inner housing 12 forming the inner side of the connector housing 11.
[0027] Next, as illustrated in Fig. 9E, the inner housing 12 is fitted into the trunk portion
28a of the spacer 28 to thereby bring the respective engaging pawls 15 of the box
portion 12a of the inner housing 12 into engagement with their corresponding respective
engaging holes 23 of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17. Thus, the
assembling of the waterproof connector 10 is completed. In this connection, since
the rear end edge of the box portion 12a of the inner housing 12 and the rear end
edges of the box portions 14a of the respective female terminals 14 accommodated within
their corresponding terminal accommodation chambers 13 are locked by the respective
projections 29 projected on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the
trunk portion 28a of the spacer 28 and in addition no deformation of the respective
projections 29 to the outside does not occur, the draw-off of the female terminals
14 from the respective terminal accommodation chambers 13 are reliably prevented.
In addition, since the retention of the respective female terminals 14 and the retention
of the respective rubber plugs 18 can simultaneously be effected by the spacer 28,
there is no need to use an exclusive parts item for preventing the draw-off of the
rubber plug and it is possible to reduce the number of the constituent parts used
and thereby reduce the cost involved. Further, since the spacer 28 is doubly locked
by the engagement of the respective engagement pawls 32 of the spacer 28 itself as
well as by the engagement of the respective engagement pawls 15 of the inner housing
12 with the engaging pawls 23 of the outer housing 17, it is possible to reliably
prevent the disengagement of the respective rubber plugs 18 and packing 24 and thereby
enhance the reliability on the waterproofness up to a level one step higher.
[0028] Since the female terminals 14 can be reliably retained by the spacer 28 interposed
between the inner housing 12 and outer housing 17 in the above-described way, it is
possible to increase the force of retaining the female terminals 14 and thereby enhance
the reliability on the retention thereof. As a result of this, it is possible to assemble
smoothly a multipolar and small-in-size waterproof connector 10 having an excellent
level of terminal retaining force and waterproofness in a simple way, in a short time
and at a low cost. And, after the assembling of the waterproof connector 10 is completed,
for example, even when the electric wires 20 are pulled, it is possible to reliably
retain the female terminals 14 in the terminal accommodation chambers 13 through the
spacer 28.
[0029] Also, since as illustrated in Fig. 5 the diameter L of the rubber plug accommodation
recessed portion 19 formed in the bottom wall portion 17c of the outer housing 17
can be minimized without being influenced by the size of the terminal accommodation
chamber 13 of the inner housing 12, it is possible to make the terminal-to-terminal's
pitch X illustrated in Fig. 6 smaller than that in the conventional waterproof connector
and thereby miniaturize the multipolar connector housing 11. Further, since as illustrated
in Fig. 5 the rubber plug 18 is more completely enclosed by the rubber plug accommodation
recessed portion 19 of the bottom wall portion 17c of the outer housing 17 and so
is not exposed to a side that is outer than the bottom wall portion 17c, it is possible
to reliably prevent a decrease in the sealing performance of the rubber plug 18 due
to an external force and thereby enhance the reliability on the waterproofness of
the entire waterproof connector 10 up to a level that is one step higher.
[0030] Fig. 10A is a sectional view illustrating a state where rubber plugs have been inserted
over electric wires throughout the rubber plugs prior to the method of assembly of
a waterproof connector according to the present invention; Fig. 10B is a sectional
view illustrating a state where the electric wires have been connected to terminals
accommodated in the terminal accommodation chambers of an inner housing; Fig. 10C
is a sectional view illustrating a state where the electric wires having the terminals
connected thereto are in the state of being pulled in an outward direction of an outer
housing; Fig. 10D is a sectional view illustrating a state in the course of interfitting
between the inner housing and outer housing; and Fig. 10E is a sectional view illustrating
a state where the assembly of the waterproof connector is completed; Fig. 11A is an
enlarged sectional view illustrating a main part of the waterproof connector prior
to the connection of the electric wires to this waterproof connector; and Fig. 11B
is an explanatory view of the main part of Fig. 11A as taken from a direction indicated
by an arrow XIB; and Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a state in
the course of interfitting of the waterproof connector.
[0031] As illustrated in Figs. 10E and 12, a connector housing 11' of a waterproof connector
10' according to another embodiment of the present invention is constituted by an
inner housing 12' having integrally formed therein a plurality of terminal accommodation
chambers 13 and made of synthetic resin, and an outer housing 17' into which the inner
housing 12' is fitted and which is made of synthetic resin. On rear ends of upper
and lower surfaces of a box portion 12a of the inner housing 12' there are respectively
integrally formed through hinge portions 12e a pair of upper and lower pressure contact
covers (covers) 34, 34. The respective pressure contact blade covers 34 close upper
and lower opening portions at a rear side of the box portion 12a of the inner housing
12', thereby protecting female terminals (terminals) accommodated in the respective
terminal accommodation chambers 13 of the inner housing 12. Further, as illustrated
in Figs. 11A and 11B, in protruding portions of rear ends of the respective pressure
contact blade covers 34 there are respectively formed "V"-shaped slits 34a through
which corresponding electric wires 20 are inserted, as well as conical recessed portions
(rubber plug guiding portions) 34b for guiding rubber plugs 18 to their prescribed
positions.
[0032] Also, as illustrated in Fig. 11A, on both end sides of each rubber plug 18 there
are respectively formed conical surfaces (tapered surfaces) 18a and 18a, whereby both
ends thereof are each made conical. Further, on inlet sides of rubber plug accommodation
recessed portions 19 on an inner side of a bottom wall portion (one wall portion)
17c of the outer housing 17' there are formed inverse-conical surfaces (tapered surfaces)
19a. It is to be noted that since other constructions are the same as those of the
waterproof connector 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the same constituent
portions as those thereof are denoted by like reference numerals and an explanation
thereof is omitted. Further, since the waterproof connector 10' of this another embodiment
is constructed such that after the electric wires 20 have been passed through the
rubber plugs 18, these electric wires 20 are each connected by pressure contact to
a pair of pressure contact blades 14b, 14b of a corresponding one of the female terminals
14 accommodated in the respective terminal accommodation chambers 13 of the inner
housing 12', the spacer 28 of the above-described embodiment becomes unnecessary.
[0033] In a case where assembling the waterproof connector 10' of this another embodiment,
as illustrated in Fig. 10A, the packing 24 is inserted into the packing receiving
portion 25 of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17' forming the outer
side of the connector housing 11' and this packing 24 is thereby set beforehand. And,
after passing the electric wires 20 into a plurality of the electric wire insertion-through
holes 21 of the bottom wall portion 17c of the outer housing 17' from outside the
same, the rubber plugs 18 are inserted over the electric wires 20 to thereby set the
electric wires 20 at the positions (the positions for connection thereof to be made
by pressure contact) that oppose the respective female terminals 14 accommodated in
a plurality of the terminal accommodation chambers 13 of the inner housing 12' forming
the inner side of the connector housing 11'.
[0034] Next, as illustrated in Fig. 10B, the respective electric wires 20 are each connected
by pressure contact to the pair of pressure contact blades 14b, 14b of the female
terminal 14 accommodated in a corresponding one of the terminal accommodation chambers
13 of the inner housing 12'. And, as illustrated in Fig. 10C, after closing the respective
upper and lower opening portions on the rear side of the box portion 12a of the inner
housing 12' by the pair of upper and lower pressure contact blade covers 34, 34 connected
to the inner housing 12' through the hinge portions 12e, the respective electric wires
20 are pulled in a direction A to the outside of the outer housing 17' to thereby
gradually fit the inner housing 12' into the outer housing 17'. At this time, as illustrated
in Fig. 10D, by being guided by the respective electric wires 20 themselves as well
as by the inverse-conical surfaces 19a on the inlet side of the respective rubber
plug accommodation recessed portions 19 of the bottom wall portion 17c of the outer
housing 17' and the conical surfaces 18a of the rubber plugs 18, the rubber plugs
18 are inserted up to prescribed positions within the respective rubber plug accommodation
recessed portions 19 and thereby set therein, respectively.
[0035] Next, as illustrated in Fig. 10E, the inner housing 12' is completely fitted into
the outer housing 17' to thereby bring the respective engaging pawls 15 of the box
portion 12a of the inner housing 12' into engagement with their corresponding respective
engaging holes 23 of the inner wall portion 17a of the outer housing 17'. The assembling
of the waterproof connector 10' is thereby completed. Since at this time the respective
rubber plugs 18 are guided into the corresponding respective rubber plug accommodation
recessed portions 19 of the outer housing 17', and prevented from being drawn off
therefrom, by the corresponding conical recessed portions 34b of the pressure contact
blade covers 34, the sealing performance (waterproofness) of the entire connector
housing is reliably ensured. Also, the fall-off of the female terminals 14 from the
respective terminal accommodation chambers 13 is reliably prevented by the respective
pressure contact blade covers 34. In addition, since the use of the spacer 28 becomes
unnecessary, there is no need to use an exclusive parts item for preventing the draw-off
of the rubber plugs, with the result that the number of the constituent parts used
is reduced and the cost of the waterproof as a whole is also reduced one step more
greatly.
[0036] In this way, when inserting and setting the respective rubber plugs 18 in their respective
rubber plug accommodation recessed portions 19 of the outer housing 17', the conical
recessed portions 34b of the pressure contact blade covers 34 of the inner housing
12', the conical surfaces 18a of the rubber plugs 18, the inverse-conical surfaces
19a on the inlet side of the rubber plug accommodation recessed portions 19 of the
outer housing 17', and the electric wires 20 serve as guides. As a result, the rubber
plugs 18 can be reliably accommodated into their respective rubber plug accommodation
recessed portions 19 of the outer housing 17' in a simple way and, simultaneously
with the fitting of the inner housing 12' into the outer housing 17', the rubber plugs
18 can be reliably accommodated in their corresponding respective accommodation recessed
portions 19 of the outer housing 17'. Therefore, the assemblability of the waterproof
connector 10' and the reliability on the waterproofness effected with the use of the
respective rubber plugs 18 are enhanced one step more greatly.
[0037] Additionally, although according to the above-described respective embodiments the
electric wires have been explained as being connected to the-pressure contact terminals
by a pressure contact technique, the terminals are not limited to the pressure contact
terminals. The above-described respective embodiments can of course be applied also
to a case where connecting electric wires to pressure bond terminals by a pressure
bond technique.
[0038] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific
terms, such description is for illustrative purposes, and it is to be understood that
changes and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the following
claims.